Forming apparatus



Oct. 13, 1959 y A. R. lRlNGEWALD 2,908,238

FORMING APPARATUS A TTORNEY.

Oa.. 13, 1959 A. R. BRusiG'EwALn- '-2f,908,238 if' FORMING APPARATUS A'l s sheets-sheet 2 F11-ed June :22;A 1.955

N@ mw\ INVENTOR. AugustlZBr-lngewald BY nog ATTORNEY.

'Filed June 22, 19.55v

OGL 13,11959 A. R. BRINGEWALD 2,908,238

FORMING APPARATUS f s sheets-smet s INVEVTR. A ugust/ir'inge wald 4BYATTORNEY.

2,908,233 Patented Oct. 13, 1959 FoRMiNG APPARATUS August R. Bringewald,North Babylon, N.Y., assiguor to Republic Aviation Corporation,Farmingdale, NX., a corporation of Delaware Application .lune 22, 1955,Serial No. 517,141

3 Claims. .(Cl. 113-44) This invention relates in general to forming'apparatus and more particularly to a forming apparatus or press forforming sheet metal or like materials.

Among other features desired in forming apparatus or presses for formingsheet metal is the -ability to perform varied forming operations, aswell as compactness so that the press occupies a minimum of space.Moreover, it is desirable that the forming apparatus lbe so constructedand arranged that it can be readily converted to perform different typesof forming with a minimum of interference with production.

Therefore, among other objects the present invention contemplates apress or forming apparatus having the capacity of performing both simpleand multiple forming operations, that is relatively compact and whichcan be converted for different forming operations. Without completelyshutting down the press so that a minimum of production is lost duringsuch conversions.

To these ends, the forming apparatus contemplated herein comprises asectional bed and head movably mounted thereon for selective individualcooperation with each bed-section to combine therewith to create acomplete forming unit adapted to perform a particular type of formingoperation. Thus, the bed-sections are constructed and arranged so thatone may be selected to individually cooperate with the head to performone type of forming operation such as press-block forming, bl'an'king,Hanging etc., while a second section may be selected to cooperate withthe head to perform another type of forming operation such as deepdrawing. In short, the instant forming press is capable of various typesof forming operations merely by selecting the bed section appropriate toa particular forming operation land adjusting the head, which is commonto all types of forming, to cooperate with the Selected bed section.

With the above and other objects in view, as will be apparent, thisinvention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement ofparts all as hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustratedin the `accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a forming press constructed in accordance withthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. l showingthe head moved to the position Where it coacts with a bed-sectionadapted for deep drawing;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken along line 4-4 of Fig. l where thehead is illustrated in position to cooperate with a bed-section, adaptedfor flanging or press block forming;

Fig. 5 is a perspective partially in section of Ithe frame forsupporting the rubber forming pad and diaphragm of the instant press;and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in section of .a detent assembly used inmaintaining the frame of the pad and diaphragm in its position in thehead.

Referring now to the drawings, in Figs". 1, 2 and 3, 10 designates theSectional bed of the sheet metal forming press contemplated hereincomprising a plurality of individual bed-sections, in this instance,three sections 11, 12 and 13 being shown, that are aligned in end-toendrelationship to form longitudinal continuations of each other and xedlysecured together by lany conventional means (not shown). While onlythree bed-sections have been illustrated and described, it is to beunderstood that any number of bed-sections may be employed as desired.The bed 10 also may be a single unitary structure suitably divided intoindividual bed-sections.

The bed-section 11 comprises 'a body 14 that is substantally rectangularin both longitudinaland transverse section. At its upper edge portions,the body 14 is provided with longitudinal side wa'lls 15 and 16 thatextend along the full length of the section 11 at opposite sides,thereof, and with oppositely disposed transverse end walls 17 and 18thatextend transversely across its opposite ends. These transverse end walls17 and 18 terminate short of the longitudinal walls 15 and 16 to cre--ate openings adjacent the walls 15 and 16 to accommodate the adjustmentof the head longitudinally of the bed 10 as will be seen. For purposesthat will hereinafter be apparent, the end Wall 17, which forms oneextremity of the sectional bed 10, is twice the thickness of theopposite end wall 18. The bed-sections 12' and 13 are generallythe samein construction and arrangement 'as the bed-section 11, the formercomprising a body 19 having longitudinal walls 20 and 21 and transversewalls 22 and 23, and the latter a body 24 having longitudinal walls 25and 26 and transversev walls 27 and 28. As shown in Fig. l, the Walls15, 20 and 25 form longitudinal continuations of each vother along oneside of the sectional bed 10, while the walls 16, 21 and 26 aresimilarly disposed along the opposite side of the bed 10. Further, thetransverse end walls 18 and 22 as well as the transverse end walls 23and 27 adjoin each other, While the transverse end walls 17 and 28constitute the opposite extremities of the sectional bed 10 and as abovenoted are substantially twice as thick Ias the other transverse walls.

A head, generally indicated as 29, is slidably mounted for longitudinalmovement on the sectional bed 10 so that it can be brought into verticalalignment individually with each bed-section 11, 12 and 13 with which itcombines to comprise a forming unit.. More particularly, the bed-section11 is provided at each longitudinal `side with a vertical open slot 30which communicates at its lower end with a track 31. Each, track 31 issubstantially triangular in cross-section and is formed with its baseportion disposed across and normal to the yadjacent end of itsassociated slot 30 thereby creating divergent shoulders 31 at the innerend of the open slot. The slots 30 and tracks 31 extend along each sideof the bed-section 11 for the entire length of the body 14. Thebed-sections 12 and 13 are similarly provided with :vertical slots 32and 33 respectively which communicate with tracks (not shown) similar tothe tracks 31. When the bed-sections 11, 12 and 13 are aligned andsecured together as above described, the slots 30, 32 and 33 and theirrespective tracks align to form a continuous slot and track along eachlongitudinal side of the sectional .bed 10 and for its entire length.

'Ilhe head 29 comprises a |hollow, semi-cylindrical yoke 36 havingdepending opposed, parallel sides 37, each of which is enlarged to forma lguide 38 shaped to agree with the track 31 and operate below andagainst the shoulders 31. As shownin Fig. 4, the sides 37 and the guides38 of the yoke 36 are adapted to be slidably received in the slots30-32-33 and their tracks, to the end that the head 29 is slidablysupported for reciprocating movement along the entire length of thebed-section 10. Moreover, due to thejengagement of the base portions ofVthe guides 38 and nthe tracks, Vvertical displacement of the head 29relativev to the sectional bed 10 is prevented.

The yoke 36 is of such a length that whenv it is posi- 4 to theirrespective side walls in such a manner that it may be swung between araised operative position where Y it is aligned with the fixed limitswitches 46 and 48 and a Y lowered inoperative position where it `liesalong the outer tioned over or aligned vertically with one of the bed- Ysectionsfitextends longlitudinally'over and encompasses that bed-sectionas well as the adjoining end or transverse wall lof the nextadjacentbed-section. Thus, when the head 29 is aligned with bed-section 13,'assho-wn in Fifg.^3, the yoke 36 extends, vat one extremity, over the endwall 28 of 'the bed-section* 13 while its opposite extremity covers-boththe end wall 27V of the bed-section 13 and the adjoining end wall 23 ofthe next adjacent bed-section 12.

ln addition to the foregoing means for supporting the i head 29 formovement longitudinally of the sectional bed 10, eachy longitudinalside'r of the sectional bed 10 is provided with ay continuous,coextensive rail 39. VAs shown in Figsrl and 4, one rail 39 is securedto, or formed integrally with, the upper edges of the longitudinal sidewalls 15, 20 and 25 while the other is similarly disposed on the upperedges of the opposed longitudinal side walls 1'6, 21 and 26. Each sideof the yoke 36 carries a housing 40 in which is rotatably vsupported aplurality of grooved wheels 41 that engage the adjacent rail 39. Thus,the rails 39 and the wheels 41 form an additional means for supportingthe head'29 for longitudinal movement with Vrespect to the sectional bedlthatfacilitates this movement of the head 29. Y

To provide means 'for moving the head 29 along the sectional bed 10 `andfor selectively aligning it with the bed-'sections 11, 12 and 13, anelectric motor 42 is suitably mounted on yone of the housings 40 andadjacent one end thereof. The shaft 43 'of the motor 42 extendsvertically and downwardly and is provided at its lower extremity withaworm'44 'that engages a worm-gear y45 mounted 'on the side oftheadjac'ent fgrooved wheel The motor 42 Vis connected intoa'conventional electrical circuitincluding a'power source and a controlswitch(not shown) whereby the motor 42 is actuated lto drive the shaftA43, worm 44 and worm-'gear 45 'so as to move the 'lhead 29 along thesectional bed`10. `If desired, the grooved wheels41 may beinterconnected by a conventional chain and sprocket drive (not shown).While only one motor 42 is shown, a second motor may be similarlymounted on the opposite side of 'the'y'oke 36 and operatively connectedto the wheels 41'on 'that side, `as aforesaid, thereby Aprovidingbalanced vdriving power for the head. v

In Yorder to control 'the movement ofthe [head 29 Talngr the sectionalbed 14),"so that it may beselectively aligned face of the coacting sidewall. The limit switches 46, 48, 50 and 51 are conventionally connectedto the electrical circuit of the motor 42 insuch-a manner that when themotor 42 is running, pressure v*applied to the contact buttons 47, 49,51 or 52, opens the motor circuit and stops the operation of motor 42.

In order to apply operative pressure to the buttons 47 and 52, the head29 is provided at one extremity with an arm `54 that projects from thehousing 40 to wlhi'ch it is attached by a bracket 55. Hence, as the head294 moves relative to the bed 10, the projecting larm 54 engages thecontact button 47 of the limit switch 46 or the co-ntact button 52 ofthe limit switch 50 when the latter is in its raised position. A secondcontact arm 56 issimilarly mountedy by a bracket 57 on'the lhousing 40at theop- Vpos'ite extremity of the headV 29 land disposedLso astoengage with the contact button 53, when the switch 51 is .Due to ntheforegoing arrangement, when the-head 29 *is positioned in alignment withthe bedsection--11,as

with any one of ythe vbed-sections, fa `conventional Ylimit switch 46,having *a contactbuttonf47, is xedly secured to the upper portion of thewall 15 ofthe bed-'section 11 at, or adjacent to, thelend wall 17 withits contac't'butt'n 47 facing Vlin the=direction of the'opposite 'end ofthe see- Y tional bed 10,'or to the right as viewedin Fig. l.other-*conventional limit switch '48 is lixedly mounted at the oppositeextremity of the sectional'bedV 10, `i.e. to "'tlie upper partof theside wall 26 of the bedlsection 13 a't, or adjacent the endw'all l28,with its IContactbutto'n49 facing in the direction of, andin alignmentwith,"the contact button 47,i.e. -to the left as shown in Fig.y 1. HApair of conventional limit switches fr50 and V51, having c'ontactbuttons 52 and-53 respectively, Vare pivotally mounted `to the upper-part'of the 'longitudinal side walls 15 and 25 of the bed-sections 11and 13. `The switchm50 is disposed -at or yadjacent lthe 'end wall 18with its contact button 52 facing in :the same direction as the Contactbutton 47 of Vthe limit switch 46 andthe switch 51 'at or adjacent ltheend wall 27""with its :but-ton 53 tfacing inthe same directionasjthe-contac't`49'of the 4limit'switch 148. Each of the limitswitches'50 yand I51 is pivotally mounted shown in Figs l and 2,-and it isdesired to move4 it into alignment with the bed-section y'12., the limitswitch 50 is moved to its lowered inoperative yposition and the limitswitch :51 to its raised operative position. The-control switch of themoto-r circuit (not shown) is then closed 'toV initiate the operation ofthe motor 42 in a direction whereby its shaft 43, 'the worm 44 andworm-gear 45 Y drive `"the Vgrooved wheel 41 to move the head 29 on theV"rails T39 to the right or toward the lbed-sectionl12. j Since"thelimit switch 50 Vis in its lowered position, it does-not l'ie in'the path of Vmovement v'of either of the contact arms '54 'and y'56.However, whenthev contact-arm 56 fengages and depresses the button'53 of`the Alimit-switch L51, the'mo'tor circuit -is opened, as aforesaid,-and the op- 'eration'of the motor 42 stops. The relative positionsof'the'lir'nit switch 5.1 and contact arm `56 are such that 'when theswitch is operated to open the motor-circuit and stop the motor 42, thehead 29 is aligned with, i-.e. posi- "tioned vertically over, thebed-section 1l2. To move the head'29 further tothe right for alignmentwith vthe bed- V`section d3, the limit switch *51 is swung to itslowered jpositi'on andthe control switch actuated to operate ythe motor42 in the same direction as above set forth. In response to thisoperation of the 'motor 42, the head 29 'is moved to the right until thecontact arm 56 depresses'the button 49 of limit switch'48 causing 4themotor 42 to stop. The contact arm '56 and limit switch 48 'are sodisposed that when 'the arm actuates the button 49 of the switch,thereby stopping the motor'42, :the

head 29 is then disposed over the bed-section 13. The

55'. headf29 is moved -in the opposite direction, -i.e. from right toleft, as viewed in Fig. 1, 'by revising the voperation effthe motor 42.InA this instance, however, the

Vlimit switch '51 is swung to its lowered Vposition and the limit switch50 to its lraised positiom Whenl the contact VVa'rrn A54V depresses thebutton 52 of the' limit switch 50the motor circuit is opened and themotor 42 stopped. Atv this time, thelhead 29is vertically posi- 'tioned'over VVthe bed-section .12. Further movement of the head 29 'to theleft l(Fig. l) is accomplished by loweringfthe'limit switch "50 andcontinuing ythe reverseop- "eration ofthe motor 42 and theassociateddriving-mechanisni"to'fnove the headi29 tothe left. "54 Acontacts "thebutton v4'7` of switch `46, the motor cir- When the arm cuit is openedand the motor 42 -arrestedwith-thefhead 29 then disposed over thebed-section 11. kFor-move- "rnent A"o'f'thehead VV29v Vfrom oneextremity-to the other' of the sectional bed .`10, i.e. from bed-sectionl11, or vice versa, "the intermediate limit switches 50and-51 are both'swung'to Atheir lowered inoperative 4positions out. of Vthe path of thearms'5'4' and f5'6f Whereuponthe head 29 Alifter pin 73. Acontact orengage the upper surface of a rectangular -piston 74 that is mounted forvertical movements Within 1's` moved in either direction until theContact arm 54 or contact arm 56 contacts the button 47 or 49, as thecase may be, to arrest the motor 42 and hence the movement of the head29 along the sectional bed 10.

As shown, particularly in Figs. 5k and 4, the yoke 36 has xedly mountedtherein, by any conventional means (not shown), a ller block y60 havinga centrally disposed cavity '61 formed therein for deep-drawing formingoperations. The ller block `60 is provided, -at its oppositelongitudinal ends, with depending vertical flanges 62 and 63 that are soconstructed and arranged that when the head 29 is aligned with abed-section, they form vertical continuations of the transverse endWalls of the bed-section then associated with the head 29. For example,when the head 29 is aligned with the bed-section 13, as shown in Fig. 3,the flange 62 is disposed over and forms a continuation of the end Wallsl23 and 27 while the flange 63 is disposed over and forms -acontinuation of the end wall 28. Because of this arrangement a formingchamber 64 is produced between the head 29 and the bed-section 13defined at one endby the inner surfaces of the flange 62 and end Wall 27Vand at the opposite end by the inner surfaces of the flange I63 and endwall 28. The sides of the formingchamber I64 are dened by the innersurfaces of the adjacent portions of the depending sides 3'7 of the yoke36, while its upper and lower limits are defined, respectively, by thebottom surface y65 of the ller block `6) Iand the upper surface 24 ofthe body 24.

Similarly, when the head 29 is associated with either the bed-section 12or the bed-section 111, the forming chamber 64 is produced asabovedescribed except that in the first instance, its lower limit isdefined by the upper surface 19 of the body f19, and in the secondinstance by the upper surface 114 of the lbody 14. Due to thisconstruction, the upper surfaces 14'., y19 and 24 of the bed-sections11, =12 land 13 respectively, serveI as tables upon which one or morepress-block forming or blanking dies may be mounted or positioned, suchas the die or press-block y66 shown positioned on the table 14 of thebed-section i111 in Fig. 3. A

The bed-sections 11 and '12 are each adapted to coopcrate with the head29 for one type of forming such as press-block, ilanging or blanking andtherefore their respective tables 14 and .19 are relatively smooth, fiatsurfaces. The bed-section y13, however, is not only adapted forflanging, blanking and press-block forming as aforesaid, but also iscapable of forming hollow bodies as by v deep-drawing. To these ends,the body 24 'of the bed- -section 113 is provided with a centrallydisposed, cylindrical bore 67 which serves as acylinder for a hydraulicram l68. The ram 68 has a piston 69 suitably mounted to its lower end.This piston 69 slidably engages the wall of the cylinder `67, while theupper end of the ram 68 has a die 70, of any selected shape or size,secured thereto for reception in and ccperation with the cavity 61 inthe ller block I60 during deep-drawing operations. A conventionalhydraulic system including control means therefor (not shown) isconnected to the cylinder 67 whereby a hydraulic fluid under pressure isselectively `delivered thereto to either extend the ram `68 therefromand thereby raise the die 70 in the direction of the cavity 61 or toretract the ram 68 into the cylinder y67 to lower the die 78 to theposition shown in Fig. 3, where its bottom rests upon the table 24. v

In addition, the body 24 is also provided with a rectangular pistonchamber .or cylinder 71 that surrounds the cylinder 67. A plurality ofvertical openings 72 extend between the piston chamber 71 and the table24. Each opening 72 has slidably mounted therein a At their lower ends,the lifter pins 73 the piston chamber 71. The lifter pins 73 extend only4partially into the openings 72 so that a\ pressure pin 75 may beinserted through the upper extremity of each, or any selected number ofthe openings 72, to rest upon the upper end of the lifter pin 73 mountedtherein. At their -upper ends, the pressure pins 75 are constructed andarranged to support a pressure plate 76 having a `central opening77'therein to permit the passage of the male die 70. The pins 75 areremovably mounted within the openings 72 to the end that any selectednumber may be employed depending upon the particular size and shape ofthe pressure plate 76 as determined by the configuration of .theworkpiece 79. As in the instance of the cylinder 67, piston chamber 71is connected to a conventional hydraulic system having a control means(not shown) whereby a hydraulic fluid under pressure may be selectivelydelivered to t-he chamber 71 to either raise or lower the piston 74 andthereby raise or lower the pressure plate '76 supported by the pins 7Sand their respective underlying lifter pins 73.

As set forth, when the headl 29 is aligned with either of thebed-sections 11, 12 or 13, the head "29 and associated bed-sectioncooperate to dene a forming chamber 64. To provide means for forming asheet metal workpiece ydisposed within the forming chamber 64, e.g. aworkpiece 78 positioned on a die block 66 or a workpiece 79 positionedon the pressure plate 76, a :form-ing assembly 88 (Fig. 5) -is mountedwithin the head 29. This assembly 80 is constructed and arranged eitherfor movement within the chamber 64 yand relative to the head 29 or itmay be locked within the head 29 against such movement, depending uponthe type of forming to be accomplished.

More particularly, the lforming assembly 86 comprises a rectangularframe 81 the outer sides 82 of which are adapted to lit within the head29 and slidably engage the inner surfaces of the flanges 62 and 63 ofthe filler block 60 and of the depending `sides 37 of the yoke 36, asWell as t within the inner surfaces of the side and end walls of the:associated bed-sections. The sides of the frame 81 are U-shaped insection, to establish an open, rectangular groove 83 that extendsinwardly from Lthe inner faces 84 o-f the sides of the frame 81 toreceive :and ret-ain the outer or marginal edge of a resilient formingpad 85. A molding 86 corresponding in shape and size -to the frame 81,having la vertical flange 87 formed at its outer edges, is iixedlysecured to the upper surface of the frame 81 with its flange 87 inalignment with and forming a continuation of the outer sides 82 of theframe 81. For reasons that will hereafter be apparent, the upper surfaceof the resilient forming pad is covered and protected by a deformable,elastic ydiaphragm 88 fabricated from any suitable material having goodstretching properties, and which is impervious to oil or other hydraulicuids used in forming operations. The diaphragm 88 is provided, at itsmargin or outer edge, with an upstanding feather seal or lip 89 having arelatively ilat outer surface 89 and is secured in any ysuitable mannerto the molding 86. If desired, the diaphragm 88 may be cemented or-other- Iwise joined to the upper surface of the resilient forming pad85.

Due to this construction and arrangement the forming assembly 80 isadapted to move vertically within the chamber 64. In order to guide theforming assembly 88 during `such vertical movement, a guide rod 96 ismounted in a vertical position at each of the four corners of the frame81 to extend upwardly into and slidably engage aligned openings 91 and92 formed in the block 6@ and ythe yoke 36 respectively. These guiderods 90 may be mounted on the forming assembly 80 in any suitablemanner, for example, the lower ends thereof may be threaded to engagethreaded sockets (not shown) in the molding 86 and frame 81.

To secure or lock the forming :assembly 80 within the head 29, a groove93 is formed in the outer faces of the sides 82 of the frame 81 to beengaged by a plurality 'moves it toward the 'table 14'.

ofdetent-"assemblies'94 mounted `inthel flanges 62 and 63 ofthe fillerblo'ck60 and thel sides '37 of the yoke'36. "Si'nceftheseY detent'assembliesf94'are each of kthe "same (construction, only one of themdisposed inth'e a'n'ge "63 "is described. v Y

This detent assembly L94 comprises an open socket 95 formed in theflange 63 with its open end communicating 'with the chamber 64. A'retaining `ring 96 having a"central opening 97 is 'mounted in Va recessin the flange 63 about the open end of thesock'et 95. The ring `96 `is'so mounted thatVV its outer lsurface 96 is flush with the surroundingsurface of lthenan'ge 63 and its'central kopening 97 -is concentricallydisposed relative to the socket 95. A spherical member or ball 98 `isslidabl-y mounted 2in the socket`95, inwardly ofthe retaining ring 96and 'a spring '9'9operates between the closed end of the socket 95andthe ball 98 to project the l-atterp'artialy-ly through the opening 97of the ring 96. When 'the ball'98'is thus 'seatedit extends, in'parhthrough the Vcentral opening97 of *the ring 96fand into the chamber"64. Because of thev foregoing arrangement, 'when'lthe Agroove 93 in thesides 82 of the frame 81 aligns with 'the ball 98, the part of Ithelatter projecting into the chamber 64' seats 'within the groove 93 tolock or secure the frame 81 and vhence "the forming assembly 80 into-the head 29. However, the forceexerted by the 'spring 99 on the ball 98is such that when a predetermined force is exerted Yon the upper surfaceof the lforming assembly 80 the spring 99 is overcome and the ball 98'is pushed or moved into the socket 95 by 'its coaction with sides 82deiining the groove 93. As a'result, the ball 98 is disengaged from thegroove 93 thus freeing lafeoaas the forming assembly S0 for verticalmovement downwardly and relative to the head V29 and block 60 withinVthe chamber 64.

The yoke 36 and block `60 are provided with registered 'passages 100 and101 respectively that communicate the 'chamber 64, through the femaledie cavity '61, 'with the exterior of the' head 29. The passage 100 isconnected through suitable conduit means with a conventional hydraulicsystem having control means (not shown) whereby a hydraulic uid underpressure may'be delivered to or withdrawn from the upper portion of thechamber 64, i.e. that part of the chamber l64 above the forming assembly80. When hydraulic fluid under 'pres- 'sure is'admitted into the chamber`64 from the hydraulic 'system 'through the passages 100 and 101, it iseffective on the upper 'surface of the forming assembly 80, i.e. thediaphragm l88, to produce a force thereon of Vsufficient magnitude tounlock the formingassembly e0 from the detent assemblies 94 as'aforesaid and Vto move it downwardly toward the table of thebed-section with which the head 29 is then associated. Thus, when thehead 29 is associated or. aligned with the bed-section 11 as aforesaid,yto press-form the workpiece 78 positioned on the die `66, the deliveryof hydraulic fluid under pressure through the conduits 100 and 101 intothe upper part of the chamber 64 unlocks the forming assembly 80 and The4forming assembly 8 0 moves downwardly until its frame '81 engages aseat 102-disposed within'a recess formed in the margin of "the 4table14. To prevent damage to the pad 85, the

inner surface 103 of the seat 102 against which the work- "ing surfaceof the forming pad 85 is pressed by the hydraulic huid, is provided withaV curved or (O-gee) surface. The hydraulic pressure 'on thediaphragm`88 and the resilient forming pad '85 producesja force that 'presses-or'conforrns the workpiece 78` with the die block 66.

`When the forming assembly `80is positioned within Y the seat 102'asaforesaid, 'the walls 82"'o'f the frame 81 and ilange 87 of the molding'8'6 are disposed across Athe 'Is'pace between the bottom surfaces ofthe flanges 62 and "63`of 4theblo'ck 60 andthe associated Vsurfacesofthe end wallsv '1'7 andV 18422. Moreover, lthe pressurel of hydrauliciluidv is effective 'against thefeatherseal f89 tti press its outer`surface89 'into"sealing^contact with' -the adjacentV inner surfaces ofthe flanges 62V andv 63 ofthe vertical opening 105 formed in the body14. The lower end of the opening'105- terminates in a piston chamber 106in'which a piston 107 is mounted for vertical recip- -roc'ation 'AVlifter pin 108 slidably mounted in each of the registered openings-104and 105 engagesv at its lower end the upper surface Iof the associatedpiston 107. A spring 109-is interposed between the bottom of the pis--ton chamber E106 and the piston 107 sto-'exert a force against thepiston l107 Ito move -it and its associated lifter pin V108 upwardly toabut the upper end of the pin 108 against the framel 81. The length ofthe lifterl pins A108 and the-combinedv forces -of the .springs 109 aresuch that -when the Yhydraulic fluidV is withdrawn from the upper partof chamber 64 upon the completioniof the forming operation on theworkpiece 78, the forming assembly 80 is raised or moved verticallyupward within `the chamber '64 to position theperipheral groove -93formed in the outer face 8'2 of the frame kSlain alignment with `theballs 98 of the detent assemblies 94. As aresult, thesforming -a'ssembly80 is returned toits 'locked Vor secured position withinl the head 29 soas to `travel, therewith when it moves longitudinally on vsec:-`tional'bed 1'0. Furthermore, the length of the lifter pins 108 is suchthat when they'are fully extended, as aforesaid, the -upperrextremitiesthereof are in the plane of the upper'- surfaces `of the side walls 17`and 18, and

hence they do not interfere with longitudinal movements -of the head-29on the sectional bed '10.

-The bed-section `.12 is-similarly' constructed, having `a rectangularseat 110 for the reception of the frame 81 of the forming assembly `80..Four lifter pins 111, each Y of which is slidably mounted withinregistered openings formed Vin the seat and body 19, and which .abut orcontact a piston 112 at one of their ends mounted forv vertical movementwithin a chamber 113 and the frame 81 at their other ends. Aspring 114is operative against the piston 1'12 to raise it and `its associatedlifter 'pin 111. The bed-section 13 is also provided with Va rec--tangular'seat'115 to receive the frame 81, four lifter pins 116slidably Ymounted in aligned openings in the seat` 115 and body 24e'achengaging Va piston v117 ,slidable within a chamber 118,'and a spring119' operative against the piston 117.

As above described, the bed-section 13 cooperates with head 29 for deepdrawing operations. For this type of forming, the hydraulic fluid iswithdrawn from the upper part of the chamber 64, or the. pressurethereon is relieved so that it may flow outwardly through the passages101 and 100. The hydraulic system connected to the rectangular pistonchamber 71 is, then operated to deliver fluid under pressure thereto sothat the piston 74 is moved upwards in the chamber 71. This upwardmovement of the pistonv 74 which raises these pins 73 and 75, thepressure plate 76 carried by the upper kends of the pins 75 and theworkpiece 79 supported on the pressure plate 76, is continued until theworkpiece 79 rests ush against the lower surface of the forming'pad 85to raise it and the diaphragm 88 until the latter engages or bearsagainst the lower surface of the die block. Thus, the wor-kpiece'79 andthe `adjacent portion of the forming pad y85 and diaphragm 88 areclamped -between the pressure plate 7-6 and the adjacent face 65 of theblock 60.

-delivery of fluid to [the chamber 71 and to -hold thepressure thenimposed upon the uid.

The hydraulic system connected to the cylinder 67 is then operated todeliver fluid under pressure thereto to extend the ram 68 from thecylinder i67. As a result, the male die 70 moves upwardly through theopening 77 in the pressure plate 76 and into engagement with the lowersurface of the workpiece 79. The continued upward movement of the ram 68forces the workpiece 79 together with the diaphragm 88 and pad 85 intothe cavity 61 of the block `60 to form or deep-draw the workpiece 79into conformity with the die 70. Upon the completion of the forming ofthe workpiece 79, the control means of the hydraulic system is reversedto retract the ram l68 into the cylinder 67. As the male die 70 movesout of the cavity 61, the pad 85 serves to eject the formed workpiece 79from the cavity 61.

If it is desired, the cavity 61 may have mounted therein an additionalrubber pad that assists in the deep-drawing operations.

The bed-section 13 is also adapted to cooperate with the head 29 in thesame manner as the bed-sections 11 and 12 in performing press-block,Hanging or blanking operations. In this instance, however, the pins 75are removed from their co-acting openings 72 and the die 70 from the ram68. The upper ends of the openings 72 and cylinder 67 are then closed byany suitable means (not shown) to provide a flat and unbroken surfacefor the table 24 -upon which one or more press-block, anging or blankingdies may be positioned. In the event the die 70 is suitable for use inthe selected type of forming operation, e.g. the die 70 may be used forpressblock forming, it may be left in position on the ram 68 or removedtherefrom and positioned with other dies on the table 24. Thereafter,workpieces may be formed on these dies in the same manner as when thehead 29 cooperates with the bed-sections 11 and 12 in these types offorming operations.

Having thus vdescribed the details of construction and operation of theinstant forming apparatus, it will be apparent that the several objectshereinbefore set forth have been accomplished. Thus, the forming presscontemplated herein is capable of performing varied and diierent formingoperations and is compact in construction and arrangement so as tooccupy a minimum of space. Moreover, since the die or dies of one ormore of the bed-sections may be changed without stopping the operationof the remaining bed-section, it is clear that some sections of thepress may be converted for different forming operations while theremaining section or sections continue productive operations.

What is claimed is:

1. AIn apparatus for forming sheet metal workpieces, the combinationwith a stationary continuous bed, of means dividing said bed into aplurality of aligned and individual bed-sections each having a recessedportion, a forming head, continuous tracks carried by and disposed atthe sides of said bed, means carried by said head and engaging saidtracks for mofunting said head on the bed for movement relative to andsuccessively over all of said bed-sections and also cooperating withsaid tracks for restraining said head from movement normal to said bed,driving means for moving said head relative to said bed and forautomatically and xedly aligning it with any selected one of itssections, said head having a recessed portion adapted to cooperate withthe recessed portion of the bed-section aligned therewith to dene aforming chamber, a forming assembly carried by the recessed portion ofsaid head and mounted to slide in both said recessed portions of saidforming chamber, means for releasably securing said forming assemblyagainst movement Within the recessed portion of said head, and pressuremeans for releasing said forming assembly from said securing means andmoving it within said forming chamber to form a workpiece positioned insaid forming chamber.

2. In a metal forming apparatus, the combination with a stationarycontinuous bed, of partitions dividing said bed into a plurality ofindividual and relatively independent bed-sections, a head, meanscarried n part by said 'bed and in part by said head for mounting saidhead both for sliding movement over and relative to said bed forindividual, selective cooperation with said bedsections and forpreventing the displacement of said head in a direction normal to saidbed, said head and each of said bed-sections having recessed portionsprovided therein to define a forming chamber upon such cooperation, adie within said forming chamber, forming means mounted for slidablemovement within the recessed portion of said head and also within therecessed portions of the 'bed-section between a iirst position wheresaid forming means is positioned entirely within the recessed portion ofsaid head and a second position where said forming means is positionedin part within the recessed portions of both said head and thebed-section associated therewith whereby said forming means cooperateswith said die to form a workpiece positioned thereon, means releasablysecuring said forming means in its first position, and pressure meanseiective on said forming means to release it from said securing meansand move it to the second position and form the workpiece positioned onsaid die.

3. In a forming apparatus the combination with a stationary continuousbed, of partitions dividing said bed into a plurality of aligned andindividual bed-sections, a

head, primary means for supporting said head on said bed for movementrelative to said bed-sections and also for restraining said head frommovement normal thereto, secondary means for also supporting said headon said bed for movement relative to and selective individual alignmentwith each of said bed-sections, a recess in each bed-section and in saidhead that combine to establish a forming chamber when said head isaligned with each bed-section, a forming assembly slidably mounted inthe recessed portion of said head and in both said recessed portions ofsaid forming chamber when established as aforesaid, means for releasablysecuring said forming assembly in an inoperative position withintherecessed portion of said head, and means for releasing said formingassembly and for operating said forming assembly within said formingchamber.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 863,851Jones Aug. 20, 1907 866,505 Nysmith Sept. 17, 1907 1,474,066 Brown Nov.13, 1923 1,499,100 Ekstrom June 24, 1924 2,317,440 Cannon Apr. 27, 19432,375,599 Walton May 8, 1945 2,377,097 Norris May 29, 1945 2,396,496Dubre M-ar. 12, 1946 2,424,849 Rogoif et al July 29, 1947 2,543,759Cannon et al Mar. 6, 1951 2,660,780 Beck Dec. 1, 1953 2,711,204 Frank etal. June 21, 1955 2,749,867 Engel June 12, 1956 2,771,850 Wheelon Nov.27, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,030,635 France Mar. 18, 1953

